US11460264B2 - Anti-chop system for mechanical paintball markers - Google Patents

Anti-chop system for mechanical paintball markers Download PDF

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Publication number
US11460264B2
US11460264B2 US16/945,188 US202016945188A US11460264B2 US 11460264 B2 US11460264 B2 US 11460264B2 US 202016945188 A US202016945188 A US 202016945188A US 11460264 B2 US11460264 B2 US 11460264B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
paintball
breech
movable component
marker
mechanical
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US16/945,188
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English (en)
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US20210041206A1 (en
Inventor
Jack Kingsley Wood
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Planet Eclipse Uk Ltd
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Planet Eclipse Uk Ltd
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Priority to US16/945,188 priority Critical patent/US11460264B2/en
Assigned to Planet Eclipse UK Limited reassignment Planet Eclipse UK Limited ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WOOD, JACK KINGSLEY
Priority to EP20189322.9A priority patent/EP3772632B1/de
Priority to CA3089450A priority patent/CA3089450C/en
Publication of US20210041206A1 publication Critical patent/US20210041206A1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F41B11/00—Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns
    • F41B11/70—Details not provided for in F41B11/50 or F41B11/60
    • F41B11/71—Electric or electronic control systems, e.g. for safety purposes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F41B11/00—Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns
    • F41B11/70—Details not provided for in F41B11/50 or F41B11/60
    • F41B11/72—Valves; Arrangement of valves
    • F41B11/723—Valves; Arrangement of valves for controlling gas pressure for firing the projectile only
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F41B11/00—Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns
    • F41B11/50—Magazines for compressed-gas guns; Arrangements for feeding or loading projectiles from magazines
    • F41B11/52—Magazines for compressed-gas guns; Arrangements for feeding or loading projectiles from magazines the projectiles being loosely held in a magazine above the gun housing, e.g. in a hopper
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F41B11/00—Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns
    • F41B11/80—Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns specially adapted for particular purposes
    • F41B11/89—Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns specially adapted for particular purposes for toys

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to projectile launchers, including paintball markers. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems, methods and configurations for preventing chop or breaking of paintball projectiles that are not properly seated in the breech of the projectile launchers and ready for launch in projectile launchers, and, more specifically, mechanical-type paintball markers.
  • the present invention relates to the general loading of a projectile into the breech of a projectile launcher.
  • paintball markers In the game of paintball there are generally two main classifications of paintball markers. One of them would be mechanical markers, and the other would be electronic markers. These two types of paintball markers are exceedingly well known in the paintball industry.
  • the present invention can be used in connection with any type of projectile launcher but is particularly well-suited for use in a mechanical-type paintball marker environment for launching paintballs. While reference may be made specifically to mechanical-type paintball markers for launching paintballs, this is just one of many different types of devices that can employ the present invention. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is intended to encompass all type of projectile launchers for launching any type of projectile.
  • a prior art paintball marker is generally known to include a main body with a grip, trigger and barrel. Within the main body is a breech with a bolt that actuates back and forth therein. The bolt is retracted to allow a paintball to enter the breech from a supply of paintballs in hopper, which may be gravity fed, for example, via a feed tube, in preparation for launching. Once the paintball is within the breech, the bolt can be moved forward, as in well known in the art, to prevent further projectiles to enter breech and to load the projectile into the barrel. Then, the projectile within the barrel can then be launched in the normal fashion from the barrel, such as by the delivery of a blast of compressed air behind the projectile.
  • the paintball may bounce back up either fully or partially into the feedtube or, in general, may not be properly seated in the breech and fully ready for launch. If launch occurs when the paintball is not ready for launch, the bolt can easily break the partially loaded paintball within the breech, which can jam the marker rendering it unusable until it is unjammed and cleaned. This is particularly troublesome when such jamming occurs during competitive gameplay.
  • breech sensors are commonly employed to sense when the paintball is in the breech and ready to be launched.
  • a sensor is electronically connected to the operating system and the pneumatics of the marker to fully control the timing of loading and launching.
  • the operating system will permit the launching of the paintball.
  • the sensing system is based upon opto-electronics whereby a transmitter is mounted on one side of the breech of the marker and a receiver is mounted on the opposite side of the breech so that any object coming between the transmitter and receiver can be detected. This is known as a photo-interrupter and is well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the electronic control system assumes that it is a paintball that is being detected and allows the marker to be fired and the paintball to be launched.
  • the shape of the breech can be configured to avoid excessive bounce when, by gravity, the paintball drops into the breech.
  • the user can still pull the trigger and mechanically start the firing cycle at any time. As a result, chop and jamming of the paintball marker can still occur and is not effectively avoided.
  • the present invention preserves the advantages of prior art projectile launchers and projectile feed systems, devices and methods. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available systems and methods and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available systems, devices and methods.
  • the invention is generally directed to the novel and unique anti-chop system in mechanical paintball markers that enables faster launching cycle times while avoiding jamming of projectiles during such launching.
  • FIG. 1A is a side cross-sectional view of mechanical paintball marker employing a first embodiment of the anti-chop system of the present invention
  • FIG. 1B is a side cross-sectional view of mechanical paintball marker employing the first embodiment of the anti-chop system of the present invention, showing the arm in a second configuration;
  • FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of mechanical paintball marker employing a second embodiment of the anti-chop system of the present invention.
  • linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape.
  • directional terms like proximal, distal, top, bottom, up, or down are used, they are not intended to limit the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. A person skilled in the art will recognize that these terms are merely relative to the system and device being discussed and are not universal. Further, for ease of discussion, the present invention is discussed in connection with paintball markers, but the invention is also related and applicable to other projectile launching devices, such as airsoft guns.
  • an anti-chop system is disclosed to be incorporated into a mechanical type paintball marker, the structure of which is generally known in the prior art.
  • Mechanical markers are known to be easier to repair as many parts are standard and easy to find. Additionally, the mechanical markers are known to be, relatively, less expensive than electronic markers.
  • on a mechanical marker there is no way to tell if a paintball is fully seated in the breech and truly ready for launch; there are no sensors in the breech and there is no control over the firing cycle; and the operator may simply pull the trigger at any time at which point the marker fires with the hopes that the paintball was properly seated in the breech and ready for launch.
  • the mechanical marker will fire regardless of whether there is a paintball in the breech, not in the breech, or just half way into the breech. Therefore, the present disclosure seeks to remedy these deficiencies with mechanical markers by providing an anti-chop breech sensor and a mechanical stop to prevent the mechanical marker from being fired while maintaining the aforementioned benefits.
  • the modified mechanical paintball marker can include a sensor in the breech, such as an optical infrared sensor, to detect the presence or absence of a paintball.
  • a sensor in the breech such as an optical infrared sensor
  • This is connected to a simple circuit that controls the position of a lever via an actuator.
  • the lever can be used to control, or block, the movement of one of several potential mechanical elements within the marker to either prevent it from firing or allow it to fire.
  • the anti-chop system of the present embodiment employs a sensor 110 to determine the presence or lack of a paintball 120 in a mechanical paintball marker 100 .
  • the term mechanical paintball marker is intended to be defined as a mechanically operated paintball marker that is operated using solely mechanical means, and as such does not use elements such as electro-pneumatic solenoids controlled by an electronic board and activated by a form of electronic switch actuated by the trigger to fire the paintball or projectile.
  • a mechanical paintball marker uses only mechanical and/or pneumatic elements between the trigger mechanism and the firing system.
  • a control signal can be sent to a control circuit 130 .
  • the control circuit 130 can be any known controller that includes a CPU, memory, and input/output ports. While the control circuit 130 is shown to be just below the breech 104 , the control circuit 130 can be located anywhere on the marker 100 and can communicate wirelessly or wired with the sensor 110 and other components.
  • the senor 110 is an optical sensor.
  • the sensor 110 can be any known sensor for determining whether a paintball 120 is properly seated in the breech, including a weight sensor, laser, etc.
  • the control signal can be analogue or digital.
  • the control circuit 130 can determine that the mechanical marker 100 should not be allowed to fire by use of a mechanical stop.
  • the mechanical stop can include a solenoid 140 that pivots a lever arm 150 to lock the lever arm 150 in a location that prevents the bolt 108 from traversing through the breech 104 .
  • the lever arm 150 can be generally “V” shaped having a first free end 152 and a second free end 154 , with a pivot point 156 in the bend of the arm.
  • the lever arm can have a through hole 158 , through which a pivot pin 160 is received to allow the lever arm 150 to rotate about the pivot pin 160 .
  • the first free end 152 of the lever 150 can be disposed to be put in place of the bolt 108 , as shown in FIG. 1A , or out of the path of the bolt 108 , as shown in FIG. 1B .
  • the bolt 108 can be moved through the breech 104 , as shown by the arrows T.
  • the solenoid 140 can be controlled by the control circuit such that actuates a plunger arm 142 to an extended position, as in FIG. 1A , when the appropriate signal is generated by the sensor.
  • a return spring 170 can be in a compressed configuration.
  • the solenoid and plunger can be other linear actuators.
  • the solenoid plunger arm 142 can contact the first free end 152 of the lever to rotate the lever counter clockwise, relative to the perspective in the figure, to physically block the bolt 108 within the marker 100 when no paintball 120 is detected within the breech 104 or fully seated in the breech.
  • the first free end 152 of the lever can be disposed in the breech in front of the bolt 108 , and locked in place by the solenoid plunger 142 , such that the bolt 108 cannot be displaced.
  • the instant system can be employed to lock the bolt without the need for additional electronics in the trigger or mechanisms to prevent a premature firing of the marker.
  • the solenoid 140 can be released and the spring 170 can spring-bias the second free end 154 of the lever arm out of the path of the bolt, as shown in phantom in FIG. 1B .
  • the spring In the unlocked configuration of FIG. 1B , the spring is extended or expanded, as shown in phantom, while the solenoid 142 plunger is retracted into the solenoid 140 .
  • the illustrated spring 170 is a helical spring, though other linear actuators can be used in place.
  • the circuit control 130 can cause the solenoid 140 to extend the plunger 142 into the first free end 152 of the lever arm, against the forces of the spring 170 , to cause the free end of the lever arm to block further leftward/forward travel of the bolt 108 thereby preventing firing unless a paintball 120 is properly seated in the breech and ready for launch, as seen in FIG. 1A .
  • FIG. 2 A second preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 , such an embodiment can employ a circuit 230 that can control an electro-pneumatic solenoid valve 240 that is used to drive a small piston 242 that prevents the movement of the bolt 208 , or trigger, or any other part of the mechanical markers 200 firing and cycling system to prevent it firing when there is no paintball 220 detected within the breech.
  • the sensor 210 , control circuit 230 , lever arm 250 , and spring 270 arrangements are substantially the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B , and will not be further discussed for brevity.
  • the electro-pneumatic solenoid valve 240 can advantageously make use of existing pneumatic systems 246 in the mechanical marker 200 to extend, or actuate, a piston 244 disposed in the piston housing 242 .
  • the solenoid valve 240 can be opened to allow air, or fluid, from the supply 246 to flow through the valve 240 towards the piston housing 242 .
  • the fluid can actuate the piston 244 in the piston housing 242 to push the free end of the lever 250 upward in the path of the bolt 208 to thereby block travel of the bolt 208 into communication with the paintball 220 in the breech 204 .
  • a further alternative embodiment is envisioned where the circuit controls a mechanism that prevents the actuation of the trigger when there is no paintball detected within the breech.
  • the lever arm is configured and arranged proximal to the mechanical trigger itself whereby the lever arm physically blocks travel of the trigger to prevent firing of the trigger and the resultant paintball launch.
  • the instant embodiments can be used to lock other mechanical components of the marker including, but not limited to, the trigger, the bolt, the air valves, or other components can be locked with a piston or solenoid as disclosed herein.
  • the embodiments shown in the attached figures and discussed above are examples of how a mechanical paintball marker can be modified to employ an optical sensor to, in turn, mechanically prevent unwanted travel of the bolt into the breech and into communication with the paintball until a paintball is adequately seated in a launch position in the breech.
  • the mechanical actuator can be a lever arm, as above, or any mechanical structure that blocks any component of the paintball marker that moves as part of the paintball firing/launch process.
  • the anti-chop assembly can be employed as a trigger lock to prevent the paintball marker from being used unless the control circuit receives the proper signal.
  • the marker can have a fingerprint sensor on the grip, or other parts thereof, to require authentication by the primary user to allow the marker to be fired. When a correct fingerprint is sensed, the instant control circuit can disengage the anti-chop system to allow the mechanical marker to be fired.
  • Other sensor types can be used, such as BLUETOOTH Low Energy tags, retina scanners, other biometric sensors can be used to authenticate the user and “unlock” the marker.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Unknown Time Intervals (AREA)
US16/945,188 2019-08-07 2020-07-31 Anti-chop system for mechanical paintball markers Active 2040-08-28 US11460264B2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/945,188 US11460264B2 (en) 2019-08-07 2020-07-31 Anti-chop system for mechanical paintball markers
EP20189322.9A EP3772632B1 (de) 2019-08-07 2020-08-04 Quetschschutzsystem für mechanische paintball-marker
CA3089450A CA3089450C (en) 2019-08-07 2020-08-07 Anti-chop system for mechanical paintball markers

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201962883765P 2019-08-07 2019-08-07
US16/945,188 US11460264B2 (en) 2019-08-07 2020-07-31 Anti-chop system for mechanical paintball markers

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US20210041206A1 US20210041206A1 (en) 2021-02-11
US11460264B2 true US11460264B2 (en) 2022-10-04

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11378351B2 (en) * 2020-09-16 2022-07-05 Guay Guay Trading Co., Ltd. Cutting-power-off detection structure of toy gun

Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5890479A (en) 1998-08-31 1999-04-06 Morin; Ernest Arthur Trigger assist system
US6532949B1 (en) 2001-06-19 2003-03-18 Mckendrick Jeffrey D. Paint ball gun kit assembly
US6966313B1 (en) * 2004-06-21 2005-11-22 Jt Usa Llc Anti-chop electronic firing control for paintball markers
US20060102161A1 (en) * 2004-11-17 2006-05-18 Planet Eclipse Limited Projectile launcher with offset feed tube
US20060124118A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-06-15 National Paintball Supply, Inc. Variable pneumatic sear for paintball gun
US20060162716A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-07-27 National Paintball Supply, Inc. Gas governor, snatch grip, and link pin for paintball gun
US7121271B1 (en) * 2002-03-12 2006-10-17 Joseph R Arndt Anti-pinch bolt
US20060278206A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-12-14 National Paintball Supply, Inc. Gas governor, snatch grip, and link pin for paintball gun
US20070215134A1 (en) * 2004-05-25 2007-09-20 Dye Precision, Inc. Pneumatic paintball marker
US20080078370A1 (en) * 2006-09-28 2008-04-03 Eero Kaakkola Anti-chop eyes for a paintball marker
US20080099005A1 (en) * 2006-10-27 2008-05-01 Dye Precision, Inc. Paintball marker
US20090241929A1 (en) * 2006-07-19 2009-10-01 Richmond Italia Paintball gun loading methods and apparatus
US20100258101A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2010-10-14 National Paintball Supply, Inc. Wireless projectile loader system
US20140096757A1 (en) * 2012-10-09 2014-04-10 Dye Precision, Inc. Paintball marker

Patent Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5890479A (en) 1998-08-31 1999-04-06 Morin; Ernest Arthur Trigger assist system
US6532949B1 (en) 2001-06-19 2003-03-18 Mckendrick Jeffrey D. Paint ball gun kit assembly
US7121271B1 (en) * 2002-03-12 2006-10-17 Joseph R Arndt Anti-pinch bolt
US20070215134A1 (en) * 2004-05-25 2007-09-20 Dye Precision, Inc. Pneumatic paintball marker
US6966313B1 (en) * 2004-06-21 2005-11-22 Jt Usa Llc Anti-chop electronic firing control for paintball markers
US20060124118A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-06-15 National Paintball Supply, Inc. Variable pneumatic sear for paintball gun
US20060162716A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-07-27 National Paintball Supply, Inc. Gas governor, snatch grip, and link pin for paintball gun
US20060278206A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-12-14 National Paintball Supply, Inc. Gas governor, snatch grip, and link pin for paintball gun
US20060102161A1 (en) * 2004-11-17 2006-05-18 Planet Eclipse Limited Projectile launcher with offset feed tube
US20100258101A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2010-10-14 National Paintball Supply, Inc. Wireless projectile loader system
US20090241929A1 (en) * 2006-07-19 2009-10-01 Richmond Italia Paintball gun loading methods and apparatus
US20080078370A1 (en) * 2006-09-28 2008-04-03 Eero Kaakkola Anti-chop eyes for a paintball marker
US7765998B2 (en) * 2006-09-28 2010-08-03 Dye Precision, Inc. Anti-chop eyes for a paintball marker
US20080099005A1 (en) * 2006-10-27 2008-05-01 Dye Precision, Inc. Paintball marker
US20140096757A1 (en) * 2012-10-09 2014-04-10 Dye Precision, Inc. Paintball marker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA3089450A1 (en) 2021-02-07
EP3772632B1 (de) 2023-12-27
EP3772632A1 (de) 2021-02-10
CA3089450C (en) 2026-02-24
US20210041206A1 (en) 2021-02-11

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